Piastri leads FP2 from Antonelli and Russell in Japan

The second practice hour in Suzuka saw Oscar Piastri top the timesheets ahead of the Mercedes pair in a session that once again saw reliability issues curb running for several drivers on the grid.

Credit: Formula One

Following an eventful FP1 session, the second practice in Suzuka saw plenty of reliability issues cropping up throughout the hour and several drivers taking to the track very late into the session, including reigning champion Lando Norris.

Despite the mechanical delays, McLaren seem to look more comfortable so far this round, while Ferrari have dropped back and Red Bull continue to struggle with their package.

Here's how the final practice of Friday went down ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

As it Happened

The session began with Norris finding himself stuck in the garage, with the mechanics fixing a hydraulics leak, while out on track, teammate Oscar Piastri set an early benchmark with a 1:31.495, 0.073s ahead of George Russell.

Meanwhile, Alex Albon faced traffic on track, and later stopped on track after throttle issues, bringing out a momentary yellow flag — reliability issues still cropping up across the field, predictably so. Albon was soon able to get back going, setting another lap that took him to 11th.

Elsewhere, Racing Bulls were struggling to get Arvid Lindblad out on track, the British rookie heading back to the pits after a single out-lap. Another car yet to set a lap was Sergio Pérez, with a suspected braking issue being investigated by mechanics.

Out on track, Charles Leclerc set the latest benchmark with a 1:31.019, 0.048s ahead of Piastri. A little after 20 minutes into the session, Norris was finally released from his garage for his first appearance this session.

Piastri, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton meanwhile had both bolted on the soft tyres, the McLaren car jumping up to the top of the timesheets before Kimi Antonelli joined him in second.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar had taken to the track for their runs of the soft compound too, both cars slotting into seventh and ninth respectively, Verstappen complaining of understeer.

FP1 leader George Russell managed to improve on his early runs and set a personal best of the session that saw him take third on the board behind Piastri and Antonelli.

Down at Audi, Gabriel Bortoleto was yet to set a time after the team had decided to troubleshoot the car and re-assemble the rear parts of the car, the Brazilian rookie losing out on crucial practice with under 30 minutes to go in the session.

Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto and Verstappen were pinged after the Argentine was found weaving at 130R, holding up the Red Bull driver, and being noted for investigation after the session. 

With 20 minutes to go, Lindblad and Bortoleto were yet to set lap times, while Pérez had managed to explore the track for the first time this session.

As the last of the simulations were completed, Piastri, Antonelli and Russell continued to occupy the top three, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Nico Hülkenberg, Albon, Oliver Bearman and Verstappen completing the top 10.

With under 10 minutes to go, Bortoleto had finally managed to get out on track after a mammoth effort by the Audi crew to assemble the car.

It was more unfortunate for Lindblad, who had resigned to not getting some running at all for this session with more reliability issues plaguing the rookie’s practice sessions, following a stunted running in China’s practice sessions too.

Meanwhile, Hamilton expressed his lack of confidence in the car, sitting in sixth behind Leclerc after Norris set a lap time that took him to fourth.

As the chequered flag waved, the top three remained Piastri and the two Mercedes cars led by Antonelli — the McLarens looking more comfortable around Suzuka compared to the opening two rounds.

Looking Ahead

The final hour of practice will get underway at 02:30 BST, while qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix is set to start at 06:00 BST on Saturday. McLaren will hope to continue their early progress with Piastri, who is yet to start a race in 2026, while Mercedes will be eager to dominate once more which in all likelihood, they easily could.